Farooq Inqlabi Expresses Strong Resentment Over Denial of Ambulance to Tribal Bear-Attack Victim, Demands Immediate Probe

GNS ONLINE NEWS PORTAL

RAJOURI AUGUST 24:Senior PDP Leader Mohammad Farooq Inqlabi has expressed strong resentment and deep anguish over the alleged denial of an ambulance to 55-year-old tribal man Abdul Aziz, a resident of Kangota Kewal village, Budhal, who sustained serious injuries in a wild bear attack at Reech Bagla Dhok in the upper reaches of Budhal. The injured was initially taken to Kandi SDH and subsequently referred to GMC Associated Hospital Rajouri. After being further referred to GMC Jammu, the family reportedly contacted the 108 emergency ambulance service late at night but were allegedly informed that no ambulance was available. With the patient requiring urgent transportation, the helpless family was forced to hire a private ambulance at their own expense. Inqlabi said that if these allegations are established, the incident reflects a serious failure of emergency healthcare services and raises disturbing questions about the accountability of the GMC Rajouri administration. A critically injured patient, particularly from a remote tribal area, cannot be left to arrange private transportation after being referred to a higher medical centre.

Inqlabi said that this is not an isolated or first case of ambulance denial at GMC Rajouri, and that similar complaints have reportedly been raised by patients and their attendants in the past. He demanded an immediate, impartial and time-bound inquiry into the entire episode, seeking clear answers as to why an ambulance was allegedly not provided despite the patient’s referral to GMC Jammu, who was responsible for ambulance availability and allocation at the time, why the family was compelled to bear the financial burden of emergency transportation, and whether any improper coordination or understanding exists between officials responsible for ambulance services and private ambulance operators. He said the authorities must also examine whether there is a systemic failure in the ambulance service at GMC Rajouri and take permanent corrective measures instead of treating such complaints as isolated incidents.

Inqlabi further said that if the allegations are found to be true, strict action must be taken against every official found responsible, irrespective of rank or position. He stressed that ambulance services are a critical component of emergency healthcare and cannot be treated as a privilege, particularly for poor and remote tribal families. The people of Budhal, Kotranka and other far-flung areas already face enormous difficulties in accessing specialised healthcare, and incidents of this nature only deepen their sense of neglect. He called upon the Divisional Administration, Health & Medical Education Department and GMC Rajouri authorities to immediately investigate the matter, fix responsibility and make the findings public. No patient should be forced to arrange a private ambulance when government emergency services are expected to provide timely assistance. Human life must come before administrative excuses.